CRARRV

Armored recovery vehicle

The British CRARRV is the most
powerful armored recovery vehicle, available today.

Entered service

Late 1980s

Crew

3 + 2 men

Dimensions and weight

Weight

62 t

Length

9.59 m

Width

3.62
m

Height

3 m

Performance

Lifting capability

6.5 t

Winch capacity

52 t / 104 t

Towed load

68 t

Earth working capacity

~ 170 m³/h

Armament

Machine guns

1 x 7.62-mm

Mobility

Engine

Rolls-Royce Condor CV12 TCA diesel

Engine power

1 200 hp

Maximum road speed

59 km/h

Range

500 km

Maneuverability

Gradient

58%

Side slope

40%

Vertical step

0.9 m

Trench

2.8 m

Fording

1.07 m

The
Challenger Armored Repair and Recovery Vehicle (CRARRV) was
developed in the mid 80s. In 1985 the UK MoD signed a contract with
Vickers Defence Systems to build 30 armored recovery vehicles to
support the
Challenger 1 main battle
tank. A total of 74 ARVs were delivered to the British Army.
Currently the CRARRV is used to support the newer
Challenger 2 main battle tanks. The
only export customer of this vehicle is Oman, which operates the
Challenger 1 MBTs. Four vehicles were sold to this Middle East
country. Currently it is the most powerful recovery vehicle of it's
class.

The CRARRV
is based on the Challenger 1 main battle tank. Instead of armament
this military vehicle is fitted with a powerful winch, small crane
and front-mounted dozer blade. An all-welded superstructure has been
added to the vehicle.

Typical
tasks for this type of combat vehicles include recovery of damaged
or overturned armored vehicles on the battlefield. These also
provide maintenance service or tow them to assembly points or
maintenance units. Such vehicles operate in frontline, where are no
fixed repair or overhaul facilities.

The CRARRV
has a winching capacity of 52 t. With the help of pulley blocks
traction force is increased to 104 t. There is also an auxiliary
winch, used for other load handling operations.

A small
crane of the CRARRV has a lifting capacity of only 6.5 t. It is used
to lift and replace powerpacks of the Challenger tank, however it
can not lift the turret. The crane can be also used for other load
lifting work.

A spare powerpack is carried on a special
wheeled trailer, called the CRARRV High Mobility Trailer (HMT). This
wheeled trailer can carry a single Challenger,
Titan,
Trojan powerpack or two
Warrior powerpacks.

A
front-mounted dozer blade is used for earthmoving and obstacle
clearing operations. The CRARRV can prepare firing positions, cover
ditches and so on. A dozer blade also acts as an earth anchor during
winching operations.

This armored
recovery vehicle can tow damaged, faulty or uncontrolled MBTs with a
maximum weight of 68 t by rigid or non-rigid hitches. Vehicles are
towed to the nearest shelter, assembly point or repair unit.

The Challenger ARV is fitted with welding and cutting equipment, which is used
to repair damaged hulls in field conditions. Vehicle also carries a
wide array of tools and spare parts for field repairs.

Vehicle is
fitted with remotely controlled 7.62-mm machine gun for
self-defense. Additional armor can be fitted to the hull during
combat operations.

The CRARRV
is operated by a crew of three, including commander, driver and
handler. There are also two additional seats for passengers from
casualty vehicle.

The CRARRV
retains the engine of the Challenger main battle tank. It is powered by Rolls-Royce Condor CV12 TCA turbocharged diesel
engine, developing 1 200 hp.